Fifa president Sepp Blatter defends timing of international friendly schedule

Sepp Blatter has told clubs angry at the timing of international friendly
matches should aim their frustrations at the national associations who
arrange them and not Fifa.

Fresh start: England captain Steven Gerrard will lead side out against Hungary at WembleyPhoto: REUTERS

12:00PM BST 11 Aug 2010

More than 50 international friendly matches will take place across the world on Wednesday, an official Fifa match day, just when many European league seasons are starting and their Asia counterparts resume after the World Cup.

"There are two dates in the year for friendly matches but it means you do not have to use these dates," Fifa president Blatter said.

"If you want to play a friendly match then bring your second or third team, nobody tells you to promote the best players.

"Don't make a lot of noise about that (the timing) by saying that Fifa is silly... it is not Fifa."

England midfielder Frank Lampard and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp have voiced their concerns at the timing of tonight's friendly against Hungary just days before the Premier League season gets under way.